Donald Trump's new social media venture, Truth Social, appears set to
launch in Apple's App Store on Monday, according to posts from an
executive on a test version viewed by Reuters, potentially marking the
return of the former president to social media on the U.S. Presidents
Day holiday.
In a series of posts late on Friday, a verified account for the
network's chief product officer, listed as Billy B., answered questions
on the app from people invited to use it during its test phase. One user
asked him when the app, which has been available this week for beta
testers, would be released to the public, according to screenshots
viewed by Reuters.
"We're currently set for release in the Apple App store for Monday Feb. 21," the executive responded.
The launch would restore Trump's presence on social media more than a
year after he was banned from Twitter Inc, Facebook and Alphabet Inc's
YouTube following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his
supporters, after he was accused of posting messages inciting violence.
On Feb. 15 Trump's eldest son Donald Jr. posted on Twitter a screenshot
of his father's verified @realDonaldTrump Truth Social account with one
post, or "truth," that he uploaded on Feb. 14: "Get Ready! Your favorite
President will see you soon!"
Led by former Republican U.S. Representative Devin Nunes, Trump Media
& Technology Group (TMTG), the venture behind Truth Social, will
join a growing portfolio of technology companies that are positioning
themselves as champions of free speech and hope to draw users who feel
their views are suppressed on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and
YouTube.
In addition to the post disclosing Monday's launch date, the
screenshots seen by Reuters show the app is now at version 1.0,
suggesting it has reached a level ready for public release. As late as
Wednesday, it was at version 0.9, according to two people with access to
that version.
A representative for TMTG did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Apple's App Store listing indicates that Truth Social is expected to
be released on Feb. 21, a date that a source familiar with the venture
confirmed in January. But in recent weeks Nunes had said publicly that
the app would launch by the end of March.
On Friday, Nunes was on the app urging users to follow more accounts,
share photos and videos and participate in conversations, in an
apparent attempt to drum up activity, according to a person with
knowledge of the matter.
NO WAY TO EDIT 'TRUTHS'
The chief product officer's other responses during Friday's
question-and-answer session suggested the startup's features would
resemble those of Twitter.
Asked whether users would be able to edit their "truths," the
executive replied "not yet." The ability to edit posts after publication
is something Twitter users have long sought.
The next significant feature released on the platform will be direct messages, or DMs, between users, the executive wrote.
The company is also considering allowing users to sign up to receive
notifications when others post content, the executive said. He signaled
that the ability to block other users would be an important component.
"There will always be block functionality in the app," he wrote.
Truth Social will issue a policy on verified accounts "in the coming weeks," the executive added.
Even as details of the app begin trickling out, TMTG remains mostly
shrouded in secrecy and is regarded with skepticism by some in tech and
media circles. It is unclear, for example, how the company is funding
its current growth.
TMTG is planning to list in New York through a merger with
blank-check firm Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC), and stands to
receive $293 million in cash that DWAC holds in a trust, assuming no
DWAC shareholder redeems their shares, TMTG said in an Oct. 21 press
release.
Additionally, in December TMTG raised $1 billion committed financing
from private investors; that money also will not be available until the
DWAC deal closes.
Digital World's activities have come under scrutiny from the
Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, according to a regulatory filing, and the deal is
likely months away from closing.
Post a Comment